BV 4585 
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-g^O THE S/c^ I 

' = Especially tlie Young, ^ 

= POSSIBLY THE DTINO, ^ 

I "FEAR NOT : | 

s For, leholil, I \mi yon i 
I GOOD TIDINGS | 

I GREAT JQY." | 

= This leaflet, will be sent to the sick, when called S 
— - for. Addiess, C. N, Uicharps, U. S, Senate P. O := 
■^ W ashington, D. C. SS 

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-' I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU 



DE^EAMs, fiction, allegory, works of art, human 
speculations, intellectual sky-rockets, and ef- 
fervescent drafts may, for the time, tickle the fan- 
cies or quiet the fears of the living ; but for the 
dying, I have seen the need, during the past 
month, of something more solid and practical; 
something that has stood the test of ages; some- 
thing ihat proved sufficient for the occasion by a 
^ "cloud of witnesses whom no man can number.;" 
something everlasting as God's eternal truth. In 
order to aid the invalid to look to His word re- 
vealing His love, and becoming reconciled to His 
will, I hasten, now, that the youth for whom 
some such simple written help was desired has 
passed willingly and peacefully on to eternal joy, 
to pick out a few crumbs of comfort for other 
doubting, trembling tenants of crumbling clay. 
To fulfil a three-fold purpose, the closing days of 
the friend just gone Shall supply much of the 
thought and words to be herein inscribed. 



4 

The first desire, when informed that her earthly 
career would soon end, was a longing to live just 
enough to do some good in the world by coming 
out and taking a decided stand for Jesus, and be 
numbered among his people on earth. She was 
told perhaps the Lord had yet a work for her to 
do. A part of that work she was permitted faith- 
iully to do with her own lips to father, mother,- 
sister, relatives, and friends in a manner never 
to be forgotten, but too personal for public good. 
Hence, this reminiscence is partially to set afloat 
another part of that work — "She being dead, yet 
speaketh," 

The life and departure of an angel fresh from 
Heaven, that scarcely trod the earth, woukl be 
of very little help to the average boy or girl 
launching out into the eternal. But it may be a 
comforting crumb for the playful, frolicking' 
youth of to-day, loving life and fearing death in 
common with other animals, to know just how 
one of their number met this last dread enemy. 
And to older and matured minds it has been de- 
creed:. "Except ye be converted and become as 
Utile cMldren, 2/e shall not enter into the kingdom 
of Heaven.' 



CLARA MiivNiE CAI.EF livcd lo suiiimers, ai> 
predating the advantages of a quiet country 
life. Her eulogist might tell, as her playmates 
and teacher do tell, how pure she lived, and how 
determined to pursue the right, as she under- 
stood it; yet her own lips declared that she had 
done no good in the world worth remembering. 
Her first sickness of much moment was begun 
while having a jolly good time skating with the 
girls in the meadow of the old homestead, where 
she and her father were born. A severe cold 
was followed in the Spring by pneumonia, and 
when Summer came the stranger could see that 
consumption had began its fatal waste; and so 
when the leaves began to fall, and there were no 
more berries nor wild flowers for her to gather, 
the doctor said she must seek a milder clime for 
Winter. It was decided that she must visit 
grandmcxther and friends in Washington. AW 
the attractions of a winter season at the gay cap- 
ital had ever failed to draw her from her home 
among the hills of New Hampshire. Mother 
was fcverj^thing and everybody to her, however, 
so that, with the understanding she would soon 



join lier, good bye was said to faces and places 
and all the belongings of her childhood's happy 
hours. Hopes ever bright became brighter far 
a few days and weeks under the Southern sky. 
Gaining in strength and appetite, riding in and 
around the city, enjoying the company of a score 
of relatives and friends about her, all seemed to 
be going well, till chilly Winter came. Then 
followed a long, bitter, and painful struggle. 

Christmas day she was about with the rest, 
giving little Dorcus gifts her own hands had 
made, and receiving little tokens of love from the 
•Atlantic shores, and the Pacific slope, so that 
when the sun had sank in the west, she exclaim- 
ed: "Oh ! what a happy day I have had." And 
this was the last day of earthly enjoyment. Rer 
pleasure in the few days that followed, came 
from higher up the stream, clear and fresh from 
the fountain head. By the physician's advice she 
had been kept ignorant of her true condition. 

Two days after Christmas, she. was plainlj^ 
told, that the doctor said all hope was gone, he 
could nV)t save her, 

" The great physician now is near. 
The sympathising Jesus." 

Her father, still full of hope for her rec.overy,. 
was telegraphed to come with all speed, as Min- 



7 

nie miglit die in a few hours — certainly in a few 
days. After being told as best, a stricken, but 
believing mother could, that she had only a little 
time to staj'-, but that a better friend was waiting 
to take her to a better home, she called for other 
loved one's to gather around her. Oh ! she said, 
"1 do want to live. Is it wicked to wish so? 
I have thought so much of going back home 
in the spring and picking May flowers with the 
girls." 

"Yes, but other hands will pick them for you, 
Minnie?" — "Oh! I'm afraid I'll be forgotten." 
— ' 'Can't I live till February; I'll be sixteen then, 
3'ou know?" — ^"It seems so hard for one to 
die so young." — " Oh I if mother could only 
go with me." ^" How can I go without my 
darling mother? I have never left her, and 
how can I leave her now, and go alone, 
when I don't know where I am g=. ing? Oh. dear ! 
I dread the death struggle, and the death rattle 
so much. When I was a little girl some one died 
near us, that sufferred teribly in dying, and I 
have always had a fearful dread of it ever since. 
FrdY for me. that I may die easily." Such a 
praj^er was then offered in faith believing, and at 
her request another, that she might not .die until 
father came. Then came a night of watching, 



suffering, and pleading She wanted the Bible 
read to her, and a portion of the 14th chapter of 
John was selected, read and talked about. It 
happened to be one she had learned in Sunday- 
School, and now it seemed to open up a new- 
world to her. 

She had believed in God, and loved her Saviour ; 
but was greatly troubled that she had not tried 
to get others to love Him. She was not even a 
member of the church herself. ' 'Would you like 
to be ?" she was asked. "Yes, indeed. I would." 
"Well, then," she was told, -^He will take the 
will for the deed, and also your desires to do 
other things for Him. Do you love Him enough 
now to trust Him, to be taken as a little help- 
less lamb in his arms, whenever or wherever 
He chooses to go with you ?" 

" Of course, I do." 

The 23d Psalm was then read and talked about 
as follows : The Lord is what ? My shepherd. 
How careful a shepherd is of his sheep, par- 
ticularly the lambs, even taking them in his 
arms and carrying them over rough places. But 
who is my shepherd ? The one altogether lovely. 
The Lord is my shepherd. 

I shall not want, ichat? Any particular thing? 
Graop to live by, or grace to die by V I shall not 



want any good thing. Yea, thougli I walk 
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will 
fear no evil. Why ? For thou art with me ; thy 
rod and thy staff they comfort me. Is that true ? 
Yes, she said, and then appearing quite disturbed, 
she added : "I can't see why we have to sin when 
God is so good to us. Do you suppose if I should 
get well, this faith would leave me, and I should 
go on sinning?" 

The next day a helpful letter came to her from 
her Sunday-school teacher. When read to her, 
she seemed delighted with the thought that her 
teacher believed she had been trusting Jesus for 
some time, and that she was praying for her now 
that her faith fail not, but that she might con- 
tinue to look to the God of the 23d Psalm. Her 
father arrived in breathless suspense to know her 
condition. One prayer was answered, and her 
faith was stiengthened that the other would be. 
How good God is to me, she said; so many are 
sick and die, away from friends, while those I 
love the most are about me. Hoped they would 
forgive every unkind or impatient word. 

She thanked all for their kindness — those who 
had sent flowers, fruit, home-made dainties, and 
sympathizing notes and cards from afar. She 
did not want her friends at home to see her 



10 

emaciated foim when dead, but to remember her 
as in health. If she had known the foreshadows 
of Heaven were to be so clearly stamped upon her 
face, she might have been willing to be seen as a 
shining witness that "it is not all of death to die." 
At times every-day concerns were brought up 
for conversation, thinking it might rest her mind 
as well as others. It was very plain that it did 
not please her, and subjects more suited to one 
dying were chosen. God's word was read and 
applied to her condition, a prayer oflFered or a 
song sang with Jesus in it. Of these she never 
seemed to tire, when possible to listen to any- 
thing. Several times she called for her sister to 
sing a hymn that expressed her inner feelings, and 
appeared to take her away from her aching body. 

" They tell me there are dang-ers 
In the path my feet must tread, 
But they cannot see the glory 
That Is shining- round my head. 
Oh, 'tis Jesus leads my footsteps! 
He has made my heart his OAvn, 
For I would not dare to journey. 
Thro' the wide, wide world alone. 
T know ray heart is sinful. 
And my love seems all too small ; 
But if Jesus' arm is round me, 
I shall win and conquer all. 



11 

Sabbath morning the doctor said she was cer- 
tainly dying — that she probably would not live 
an hour. She was so informed, and called for 
all in the house to gather around her; also sent 
for one at church, whom she always wanted 
with her when she thought she was dying. She 
had previously spoken to each one individually, 
and given them some little token of remem- 
brance. Now her words were to all, and seemed 
wonderfully inspired with thought and faith. 
A stenographic report of those words would be 
a great help to others, but a tithe of the expres- 
sion and soul-power can never be carried in 
words. Amid the anxiety attending her sick- 
ness, of course much is lost. Only such of her 
words and acts as are distinctly fastened in the 
memory of several witnesses are here recorded 
for the good they may do to others. 

The minister and a few neighbors who came 
in, said that the funeral was mingled with more 
joy than any they had attended. Certainly, 
those who witnessed her dying days cannot 
doubt that "death has lost its sting, and the 
grave its victory." Clouds and doubts would 
come while writhing in pain, only to clear away 
and show the sunshine of God's love in bolder 



13 

relief. As twilight came on, and the snow was 
beating against the window-panes of the little 
upper room, she seemed to shudder as she looked 
out and soliloquized: ''Isn't it dreadful to be 
. taken out into the cold snow ? But then Jesus 
is warm." She then sank away as if for the 
last sleep. 

In a little time she was seen struggling, as if 
trying to say something. She was told to try to 
say one word, and perhaps the whole could 
be guessed. She made the effort, and said 
" Ground." " What is it ? " was asked, " don't 
you like the idea of being put away in the 
ground?" She blinked her eyes, which signi- 
fied yes — when she was unable to talk. 

Other signs indicated tha,t she wanted to be 
talked to about it. Sometimes her mind seemed 
to weaken with her body, and at such times she 
would implore some one to help her understand. 
So, now, she was told that while her body should 
be taken care of tenderly and lovingly as the 
house she had lived in so long ; that while pret- 
ty flowers should be put upon her grave, as sweet 
memories that cluster around her slender form, 
yet ' ' our Minnie ' ' should be thought of as among 
the angels of God, praising Him who has broken 



13 

the bands of death asunder and emptied the 
grave. That she Tvas not to lie under the snow. 
The coffin would be put there and the casket ot 
her soul, but not the soul itself. " To-day," the 
Saviour seems to say, "shalt thou (thy soul) be 
with me in Paradise." 

The part that has been aching and festering^ 
the part that has caused the groaning, in fact, 
all that has been dying will be taken by loved 
ones five hundred miles to Auburn and put in 
the grave in sight of mother's chamber- window, 
as you have requested. But the part that loves 
and thinks, in fact, thyself — the part that is to 
live on forever — will be taken by the angels to 
God, who gave it, to bathe in the sunshine of his 
presence continually. 

She was soon back to her accustomed resigna- 
tion. After a little quiet she said, am I going 
right off now ? When told that her feet were not 
cold, she seemed somewhat disappointed, and re- 
plied in a broken way that she wanted to go to 
sleep and not wake up again. Getting almost 
homesick aren't you, Minnie ? Yes; I am. lam 
so tired. "Blessed are the homesick, for they 
shall get home. ' ' A little dosing and she aroused 
again and called for aunt C to sing once more 



14 
an old time hymn that had been a delight to her 
upon her sick bed. It was hard for others to 
keep the tears back or the voice from choking, 
but the dying one listened as usual with bright 
eyes toward Heaven, and face all aglow with 
joy, exclaiming in raptures now and then: Beau- 
tiful! Beautiful; That's so; that's so. 

•* HEAVEN OUR HOME." 

Autumns' pale leaves, withered and dying-, 
Bloom of the Lily that lasts but a day, 
Mists of the morn on the breezes flying. 
Tell us how swiftly we are passing away. 
Beautiful things born but to perish, 
Go as the snow flakes, are lost in the foam. 
Passing away all that we cherish, 
All things are telling that earths not our home. 
Chorus. 

Heaven our home. Heaven our home. 
Grasping at phantoms not long shall we roam, 
Heaven our home, Heaven our home. 
Soon we'll be going to heaven our home. 

Beautiful earth, dearly we love it. 
Though in its bosom we shortly must lie, 
Teeming with forms angels might covert. 
Yet in the blooming they wither and die. 
Beautiful earth thou canst not hold us. 
Faith that looks upward to Heaven's high dome. 
Sees outstretched arms soon to enfold us. 
How can we murmur that earths not our home. 



15 

List tne faint tones nearer and nearer. 
Earth hath no. voices with music like this, 
Thrillingly sweet, clearer and clearer, 
Ang-els are hymning' their chorus of bliss. 
Rapturous sight over the river, 
Frosts cannot wither nor age bring decay. 
Beautiful things bloom on forever. 
Nothing in Heaven is passing away. 

In order that slie miglit rest, and, if possible 
sleep, all kept quiet in the room for several min- 
utes. After several efforts she managed to speak 
another word. " Talk,'' she said; and while col- 
lecting thoughts to know what more to say, she 
made this sentence to be understood: ''Talk 
more of what we Avere talking about this after- 
noon." A.nd then, as if to make clearer and more 
emphatic. "Talk about Jesus." God's care 
and love were then dwelt upon. Even the very- 
hairs of our head being numbered, showing how 
particular He was in that care. ISTot a sparrow 
falls to the ground without His notice, and shall 
His OAvn child pass away without His loving 
presence. If there is nothing a mother would 
not do to help a dying child, what is there God 
would not do. — "I will strengthen thee ; yea, I 
will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the 
right hand of my righteousness." 



16 

"He that spared not His own Son, but deliv- 
evered Him up for us all, how shall He not with 
Him also freely give us all things?" — "The 
Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." 

"This God is our God forever and ever : He 
will be our guide even unto death." — Again she 
said I know I am dying, it is up to here — putting 
her hand just below her throat. I cannot talk 
much more with you. I shall soon be with Jesus. 
Grandmother, it won't be very long before you 
will come too, will it?' 

Two more such days came and went. Only 
those who have been there, know the anxiety of 
watching day by day a cherished life going out 
expecting every minute to be the last. Even the 
doctor who made a specialty of lung diseases af- 
firmed that he was perplexed to see nature resist- 
ing death so persistently. Much of the time her 
pain was severe, and tossing her head upon the 
pillow from one side to the other, she desired to 
be alone with mother. 

She alone could move her, or fix her pillow 
right. If she left the room for an instant she 
would hear the call. " Quick, mother, come!" 
Repeated so often, that now the voice is hushed, 
the same words are rintiino-in the mother's ears. 



17 

At one time she said. " I am so glad I'm going 
first. Is it wrong for me to feel so?" Wliy no, 
she was told, it seems very thoughtful in your 
being willing to be the first one, we shall have 
all the more to call us "over the river." "I 
don't know" she quickly replied, "it seems self- 
fish in me. I could not live without my mother " 

Wednesday night, which really was the last of 
earth, she wanted all the loved ones to sit around 
the room, where she could watch their faces. 
All looked as cheerful as possible, but scarcely a 
word was spoken. All realized that they were 
in the presence of death. One whispered in an 
undertone, " Doesn't she look beautiful now f 
Her quick ear caught it, and she looked on all in 
the room and smiled. Then fixing her eyes 
above, she seemed to be in prayer. Several times 
she made an effort to speak, but could not, and 
seemed to give it up. Her lips were moving, and 
she was asked if she was trying to give a parting 
kiss. She smiled, and by her eyes told that such 
was her desire, and when they were returned she 
smiled again. On being asked if all was well, the 
look was sufiicient answer. 

As one was bending over the foot of the bed to 
catch the last word, if possible, she managed to 
say, in a broken way, "Give — my — love — to — 



18 
Tommie — and — ." Here her strength was gone 
and she could not make another sound ; others 
added the names of the father and mother of her 
little three-year old cousin in California, and she 
intimated that was what she wanted to say. A 
little rest and she tried to mention other names to 
whom to give her dying love, but had to stop by 
saying, "And — the — rest — ." 

For a half hour nothing was said ; her sun ap- 
peared to be set, but the bright golden twilight 
still lingered beneath a cloudless sky. Suddenly 
she revives enough, or is ing^^ired enough, to offer 
a prayer, learned in childhood, but not heard 
from her in many years. Although she lingered 
on "till morning light." and then passed gently 
away without a- struggle, so much so that those 
watching her face could not say when, this 
prayer seemed to be the closing up. Each word 
was brought out clear and distinct, with what 
seemed, for her, a superhuman power, even lo 
the amen, halting just long enough after each 
word to gain power to bring the next word out 
in full. She closed her eyes, raised her hands in 
attitude of prayer, perfectly'' calm amid the loud 
sobbing of many in the room, and seemed to 
think she was alone with her God, as she slowly 
uttered these words : 



19 

"■Jesus, tendei' Shepherd, hear me," 
Bless this little child to-nig-ht, 
Throug-h the darkness be thou near me,. 
Watch my sleep till morning- lig'ht. 

May my sins be all forg-iven. 
Bless the tj-iends I love so well. 
Take me when T die to Heaven, 
Happy there Avith thee to dwell." 

Here a minute praise as if life had gone, then 
the prayer was closed as follows: 

"■ Now I lay me dOAvn to sleep, 

I pray the Lord my soul to keep. 

If I should die before I wake, 

I pray the Lord my soul to take." 
" Make me a little christian. 
And take care of all the loved ones." 

AMEN, 




20 
Numerous letters of sympathy, and touclving 
affection have been received, all of a private na- 
ture, with no thought of publicity. Therefr)re 
if the liberty is taken to give verbatim, one just 
received, as a specimen for the whole, the pur- 
pose will be understood by all who love the Lord, 
and the departed, and their dying love for other 
souls. 



St. HEiiENA, California. 

Januanj 21, ISS^. 



T have just been reading- over again your letter 
descriptive of the last days, and the letting loose of 
life of our darling Minnie. I wns not able to read 

it at first. I attempted to read it to B , but when I 

came to her last message to Tommie and me, from her 

death bed, it was too much, so B took it and read it 

to me. I shall always keep this letter among my ti-ei;s- 
ures, for it portrays a scene, I never want to forget ; 
such perfect trust, and childlike confidence in our 
Saviour, is something so sweet to contemplate, and 
what I desire to strive for, till this mortal shall put on 
immortality. Because Minnie had such a beautiful 
character, so lovable in her ways, and so strong in her 
attachments,it must make the separation all the harder 
to her mother. Yet there is much that she can look 
back to in Minnie's last days, aside from the terrible 
suffering of the poor child, that will always be a.soin'ce 
of great comfort to her. To thijik her mind was so 



21 

clear up to the ver^r last moment of her life. That 
little prayer how beavitifully appropriate it was in her 
dying- hour. ''Watch ray sleep till morning- light." 
Yes, in the morning- light she awoke from the sleep of 
death into the New Jerusalem and was received into 
her Heavenly mansion. What a privilege it was for 
yoii all to witness that transflg-uration. Would that 1 
could have been there to. And it must have been 
pleasant for Minnie to have had you all about her, and 
no doubt it helped her mother and father, and sister, 
to better bear their grief in that sad hour of trial, to 
feel they were strengthened by the strong- love and 
sympathy of the loved ones about them T have hung- 
her picture where I can see it every moment, and un- 
derneath on a bracket I keep flowers and ivy and myr- 
tle. I know she must have looked beautiful in her 
casket, under the ti'as light, surrounded by flowers; 
she was so fond of them it was very fitting, they should 
pay their last tribute to her memor j'. What a cherished 
spot that little cemetery on the hill will be to them now, 
though I can't seem to think of Minnie there, she is 
above, happy in Jesus. 

Affectionately your,. Sister A, 



" THE VOICE OF THE DEPARTED," 

*'Qmc7c, raotJier, come," but not alone, 

For father must come too ; 
And Lulie, tell all the girls I've knOAvn, 

" There's room up here for you," 



*' I shine in the light of God ; 

His likeness stamps my brow ; 
Through the valley of death my feet ha%^e trod, 

And I reign in glory now. 

No breaking- heart is here. 

No keen and thrilling pain, 
jSTo wasted cheek, where the frequent tear 

Hath rolled and left its stain. 

I have reached the joys of heaven, 

I am one of the sainted band ; 
To my head a crown of geld is given. 

And a harp is in my hand. 

I have learned the song they sing. 

Whom Jesus hath set free, 
And the Glorious walls of heaven still ring. 

With the new-born melody. 

No sin, no grief, no pain. 

Safe in my happy home. 
My fears all tied, my doubts all slain. 

My hpur of triumph's come. 



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23 

Oh, friends of mortal years. 

The trusted and the true, 
Ye are waiting- yet in the valley of tears, 

But I wait to welcome you. 

Do I forget ? Oh, no ; 

For memory's golden chain 
Shall bind my heart to the hearts below, 

Till they meet to touch again. 

Each link is strong' and brig-ht. 

And loves electric flame. 
Flows freely down like a river of lig-ht. 

To the world from whence it came. 

Do you mourn when another star 
Shines out in the glittering- sky ? 

Do you weep when the rag-ing- voice of war. 
And the storms of conflict die ? 

Then why do yoiir tears run down. 
Why your hearts so sorely riven, 

For another g-em in a Sa^-iour's crown. 
And another soul in heaven ?" 




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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

022 168 893 



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' - A. ally and satisfy thy soul." 



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